A sitting District Court Judge and an Associate Justice have been elevated to the Supreme Court, with a Senior Counsel appointed to the District Court in moves aimed at filling recent vacancies across the judiciary.

These appointments follow the elevation of Justice Laura Stein to the position of Chief Justice, and the transfer of Justice Ben Doyle to the Court of Appeal.

As a result, Associate Justice Katrina Bochner and District Court Judge Kristopher Handshin have been appointed to the Supreme Court, with Domenico Petraccaro SC appointed to the District Court to the fill the vacancy left by the elevation of Justice Handshin.

Associate Justice Bochner’s extensive career has included time working at Fisher Jeffries Barristers and Solicitors, as Senior Solicitor with the Crown Solicitor’s Office and as District Registrar in the Federal Court for South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Prior to his appointment to the District Court in 2023, Judge Handshin worked in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, before becoming a member of the independent bar in 2010. He was appointed senior counsel in 2020.

Domenico Petraccaro SC has a strong background in criminal law having worked at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions before becoming a member of the independent bar in 2024. He was appointed Senior Counsel in 2018.

All three will begin in their new positions on February 19.

Quotes

Attributable to Kyam Maher

Each of these appointees has considerable experience and background in the law, and their appointment to the Supreme and District Courts will add a significant breadth of expertise and perspective to the judiciary.

Associate Justice Bochner already plays an important role in the day-to-day work of the Supreme Court in her current role, making her ideally placed to take on this appointment.

Judge Handshin has been highly regarded during his time on the District Court. His experience in the criminal law will be particularly valuable on the Supreme Court.

The District Court hears many of South Australia’s significant criminal matters. Domenico Petraccaro’s extensive experience, particularly at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, will serve him well in this role.